Smile Ranch Treatments
Which Treatment Is Right For You?
Learn about the Smile Ranch difference! Rather than determining the cost of your treatment based on the type of treatment you choose, we determine the cost by the length of your treatment. For example, having traditional braces for a year costs the same as using Invisalign for a year. By calculating costs this way, we can help you choose the treatment that best fits your needs.
Depending on your situation and your treatment choice, the treatment time can vary. Check out what factors, such as crooked teeth, overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crossbite, overbite, or underbite, can shorten or lengthen how long your treatment takes. Feel free to read this chart to see the differences between each treatment type to see what treatment option you might want.
Terms to Know
A bracket is an orthodontic device made of metal, ceramic, or plastic that is usually bonded to teeth with a tooth-colored cement. The bracket alone doesn’t straighten teeth, but it provides a place for the archwire to be hooked to in order to create the pressure needed to move teeth.
ARCHWIRE
The archwire is attached to the brackets with a ligature (a small rubber or wire band) and helps move teeth by asserting a constant pressure on them. The wire is readjusted and tightened every few weeks to keep the teeth moving.
RETAINER
A retainer is a device that retains the results of an orthodontic treatment after the original treatment device has been removed. Invisalign retainers are molded to fit to and straighten teeth.
Traditional Braces | Invisalign | Clear Braces | Damon System | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brackets |
TraditionalMost brackets for traditional braces are made of stainless steel. These brackets are cemented to your teeth and act as “hooks” to place a ligature (a small elastic) around the bracket to keep the archwire in place. |
InvisalignInvisalign doesn’t use brackets to straighten teeth. Instead, polypropylene plastic is heated and shaped to create retainers to straighten your teeth |
Ceramic (Clear)Much like traditional braces, ceramic braces consist of brackets that hold a ligature in place to keep the archwire in place. However, the brackets for clear braces are made of ceramic. Ceramic braces are more brittle and are commonly only used on the top teeth. |
Damon SystemThe brackets for the Damon System are like traditional braces and they come in metal or ceramic varieties. Unlike traditional braces, these brackets don’t require a tie to keep the wire in place. Instead, the brackets allow the wire to move and tighten based on the movement of your teeth. |
Wire |
TraditionalThe archwire of traditional braces is usually made of a nickel-titanium wire, but other metal alloys are available for those with allergies to certain metals. |
InvisalignInvisalign does not use wires to straighten your teeth. |
Ceramic (Clear)Much like traditional braces, the archwire for ceramic braces is also made of nickel-titanium, but clear or tooth-colored wires are also available depending on where you are in your treatment. |
Damon SystemThe Damon System has an archwire made of nickel-titanium like traditional braces, but it is not tied down by elastic ligatures. A white wire can also be used to make the Damon System more invisible depending on where you are in your treatment. |
INVISIBLE/ NEARLY INVISIBLE |
TraditionalTraditional braces are extremely visible, but you can choose colors for the ligature elastics (the ties to connect your brackets to your wire) to add a splash of color to your mouth. |
InvisalignInvisalign uses clear, thermoplastic retainers to straighten your teeth. These retainers are nearly invisible when worn. |
Ceramic (Clear)Ceramic braces can be clear or white to blend in with your teeth. A white wire can also be used in some cases to make your braces even less visible. |
Damon SystemDepending on the material, Damon braces can be silver, white, or clear. The brackets for the Damon System are a lot smaller, making them less visible. |
HOW IT WORKS |
TraditionalTraditional braces work by placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction to slowly move teeth to a corrected position. The archwire is attached to brackets using ligatures (small elastics). |
InvisalignInvisalign uses thermoplastic aligners worn at least 22 hours a day to shift teeth back into alignment without the need for wires, brackets, or ties. A new retainer is used every few weeks to continue adjusting the position of your teeth. |
Ceramic (Clear)Ceramic braces work the same way as traditional braces. An archwire is connected to brackets. The constant force of the wire carefully moves teeth to a corrected position. |
Damon SystemThe Damon System works by using a sliding mechanism that constantly adjusts the wire to keep moving teeth at a steady rate. Unlike traditional braces, the wire is not tied down with ligatures, so the wire is constantly shifting to help your teeth shift, as well. |
WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO |
TraditionalFollow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices |
InvisalignWear a thermoplastic retainer 22 hours a day Follow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices |
Ceramic (Clear)Follow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices /td> |
Damon SystemFollow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices |
AVERAGE VISIT SCHEDULE |
TraditionalEvery 6-8 weeks |
InvisalignEvery 3 months |
Ceramic (Clear)Every 6-8 weeks |
Damon SystemEvery 6-8 Weeks |
ADVANTAGES |
TraditionalIMPROVED. Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than in years past. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients. |
InvisalignINVISIBLE. No one can tell you are wearing the aligners because they are clear. REMOVABLE. During treatment you can eat and drink what you want and brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. COMFORTABLE. Every set of aligners is custom-made, with no metal wires or brackets. FEWER APPOINTMENTS. Invisalign patients only have to make appointments every 3 months. |
Ceramic (Clear)DISCREET. Clear brackets and a white wire are less obvious than traditional braces. PRECISION CUT. Every bracket is precision cut to give you best possible results during your orthodontic treatment. |
Damon SystemEASY TO CLEAN. Without ties that collect plaque, you’ll find it easier to stay on top of your dental hygiene while having braces. DISCREET. Damon® System braces are available in clear brackets. COMFORTABLE. The slide mechanism that holds the wire is designed to allow teeth to move freely and more comfortably. REDUCE TREATMENT TIME. Light high-technology shape-memory wires will in most cases reduce treatment time. ENHANCE FACIAL FEATURES. The Damon® System not only produces beautiful smiles and straight teeth, but allows orthodontists to enhance facial changes as well. |
DISADVANTAGES |
TraditionalVisible cosmetically Must be regularly adjusted Can’t eat certain foods |
InvisalignHave to wear a retainer 22 hours a day |
Ceramic (Clear)More fragile than traditional braces Must be regularly adjusted Can’t eat certain foods |
Damon SystemFun colors for a-ties are not offered if patient has bad oral hygiene. |